European leaders are weighing a strong response after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on several European countries unless they agree to his demand to take control of Greenland.
Over the weekend, Trump said a 10% tariff would be applied from 1 February on all goods shipped to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland. He warned that the rate would rise to 25% from 1 June if no agreement is reached on what he described as the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland from Denmark.
The remarks have triggered sharp reactions across Europe, with EU leaders warning they could activate the bloc’s anti-coercion instrument, commonly known as the “big bazooka”. The mechanism was designed to counter political pressure and trade blackmail by third countries.
The anti-coercion instrument came into force in 2023 and was originally shaped by China’s actions against Lithuania, whose businesses faced trade restrictions after the Baltic state strengthened ties with Taiwan. While the tool was intended as a deterrent in such cases, EU officials had not anticipated it being used against the United States.
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